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Immune cells want to protect the lungs from foreign bodies. They multiply, Yildirim explains, but the increased immune reaction causes damage to lung tissue, which itself is not curable until now. He and colleagues at the German Cancer Research Center were looking for a solution. To do this, they examined the lymphotoxin receptor beta to find out what role it plays in the development of COPD and whether it can be used for therapeutic purposes.
How cells are stimulated to heal themselves
The receptors function like rooftop antennas; if you remove them, the signal no longer reaches the TV. It works similarly in the cell. In the study, the researchers blocked this receptor and thus triggered a chain reaction. Immune cells have blocked overproduction and the skin cells are no longer dead. According to Yildirim, the research team discovered two things:
That we simultaneously prevent cell death and that we can activate a self-healing process in lung epithelial cells. We allow lung epithelial cells to regenerate.
This approach now needs to be pursued further. For the study, tests with mice showed nearly 100% healing in the lungs. For the research team led by Yildirim, a clear ray of hope that COPD is treatable. Scientists want to test this therapeutic approach in human clinical trials in the coming years.
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